Death of Long-Time WV Broadcaster

[Clinton Burley]

I'm sorry to report to those on the board of the death yesterday of long-time WV broadcaster Vernon "Vern" Stanfill. Vernon was General Manager of WFGH-FM in Fort Gay, WV.

Vern came to WV from WVKY in Louisa, KY in the mid-1970s to assist Keith Spears with development of WFGH. It was destined to be a 10 watt FM owned by the Wayne County Board of Education. Spears was a teacher at Fort Gay High School and wanted to start the station, Vernon was the engineer who made it happen. When Keith left for Marshall University (and then on to multiple jobs in higher ed - he is now Dr. Keith Spears and is a college VP in Louisville) Vernon became General Manager of the then 10,000 watt signal. He remained in that role to his death. It is somehow fitting that he was found deceased in his vehicle just outside the door to WFGH.

The flagship show on WFGH was the CUD Radio Network - a live Friday night oldies show that Vernon hosted. That program was truly one the last bastions of live, locally driven radio in the state. Vernon had over 27,000 oldies titles in his personal collection and had listeners from far and wide. I have had the priviledge to guest host that show numerous times over the years and have always been amazed at the listenership the show had. The volume of phone calls was at times stunning. The show was an institution in SW West Virginia and East Kentucky.

If this sounds like an obituary from a sad guy - it is. Vernon was a class act who introduced countless high school students to broadcasting - me included. He once was my teacher - I was more proud to call him my friend.

I'll post arrangements when I have them.

[Hoosier Daddy]

Stunned silence.

Goodbye, old friend.



Vernon R. Stanfill

[rfhertz]

Vern was one of the great ones! I am stunned.